Author
Topic: My first time using it and it failed.-sorry I babble (Read 7813 times)

I go to trivia at a bar every week (almost). One of our team members, Woody, is someone that is falling farther and farther from my entire friend groups good graces. I've posted about him before but the bg is probably neither here nor there.Last week we were very very bad at the trivia so we decided to go to another bar to have a drink and talk.After that was done and it was time to go home, Woody was hammered. This is nothing new. Woody is generally pretty drunk after every trivia. He also likes to go party in the university area after trivia too. (he is 35 but has not yet outgrown the frat boy scene I guess). He sometimes will take a cab or claims he takes the bus (i actually think he drives but have no proof) up there. So anyways last week when we were done he starts begging me and my other friend, Marty for a ride up there.

I said no. yay! Marty said no. Go MartWoody says, why?We gave various reasons why, mostly that it is out of both of our ways and he could take cab or bus. His first response to the bus was, “well I would have to wait like ten minutes” Never mind that I used to have to wait far longer for the bus and he never once offered me a ride.

But Lo, what do I see at that moment? A lovely bus coming right up, right when he said it. Both Me and Marty told him to run for it, it goes right up to the U district. But he would not. So he started asking again for one of us to give a ride and started in with the guilt like the fact that he was sooo drunk he could not drive there (his car was near trivia).

Me: Well, you don’t have to go, if you’re so drunk you probably shouldn’t. “ I know none of my business but he would not let up.

He keeps begging. Seriously annoying this guy.

Me (here it is!): “I’m sorry that won’t be possible”

But alas, it did not work because he KEPT ASKING. I started ignoring it at that point but poor Marty caved in and offered the ride. Saying that it would be the last time. Sigh. I really hope he sticks to his guns.

Tonight is trivia again so we will see what happens. Woody is usually on better behavior when Marty’s bro is around as he will be tonight but I am not very optimistic. But if he starts begging I plan on trying the line again.

I think part of your problem was you were trying to reason with a drunk guy

This week, before trivia starts, tell Woody that he needs to plan his own ride home because neither you nor Marty will drive him. Either it is the bus/taxi for him, or he should limit his drinking so that he can drive.

I agree that the line isn't a magic bullet. It can take some repeating with people. So your use of it was fine. It just takes some time for persistent people to learn you won't change your mind.

However, I don't think it's your concern what Marty does. He can give rides to Woody if he wants. He can say no to Woody if he wants. That's his business and you shouldn't answer for him or get too caught up in what decision he makes. Just keep on refusing to give Woody rides yourself and be a good example to Marty. If he sees it working for you, maybe he'll start responding the same way.

Good luck. Woody sounds like a real doozy.

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Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes.Walt Whitman